- The Ayrshire club have postponed plans to close the unpopular surface in time for the 2025-26 season until the next campaign
- The change to the plan comes in line with delays in the construction of the new Bowie Park Training Center in Kilmarnock
- Premier League clubs have already voted to ban plastic pitches in 2026-2027, with Killie currently the only side using one in the top flight.
Kilmarnock have postponed plans to return to a grass pitch at Rugby Park until the start of the 2026-2027 season.
The Ayrshire club received planning permission for their new Bowie Park Training Center in June.
The construction date for the new state-of-the-art facility, located between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm, would coincide with the lifting of Rugby Park’s artificial surface in time for next season.
However, Mail Sport has now learned that the project’s completion date has been pushed back, meaning Killie had to keep the artificial pitch for a further 12 months.
They are currently the only club in the Premier League to play on a synthetic surface, and champions Celtic will play there on Sunday.
Plastic pitches are unpopular with opposition managers, players and fans, and Premier League clubs voted in May to ban their use in the top flight from 2026 to 2027.
The plastic pitch at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park was unpopular with other teams
Rangers lost to Kilmarnock on Rugby Park’s artificial pitch last month
Rangers boss Philippe Clement made a veiled dig at the Killie pitch after the match
To soften the blow, clubs were given a two-year extension to complete the change, with Kilmarnock now set to do so just before the deadline.
Kilmarnock have pushed back plans to replace the plastic pitch with grass
The change in plan coincides with a delay in the construction of their new training center
Rangers manager Philippe Clement made a veiled dig at the Rugby Park surface after his side’s Premiership defeat there last month.
When Ibrox returned a few days later with a home win against FCSB in the Europa League, the Belgian said: “A football match on grass, it is always more pleasant for everyone to see, watch and play.”